Looking for any suggestions re. Binny's hand-picked casks

The last thread similar to this was from 2007, so I was wondering if anybody here happened to highly recommend any of the SMS Binny's handpicked casks.

I happen to be able to pick up a couple of bottles to bring back from Chicago and, aside from the bourbons I planned on getting, I was wondering if any of the SMS selections had really impressed anybody.

Any suggestions are welcome.

Thanks,
Mike

Never ask a man if he is from Virginia. If he is, he'll tell you. If he isn't, you don't want to embarass him.

Re: Looking for any suggestions re. Binny's hand-picked casks

For the money their 2010 bottling of BT is pretty tough to beat. If you can find any Binny's Weller 12's at any of the locations that is a must buy IMO. All of the Four Roses Barrel Strength bottlings have been very good but the OESK and OESO have a special place in my heart. Joe told me that while the 2010 ETL bottling is good it isn't as sweet or creamy vanilla as the 2008/09 bottling...it has more green apples and spice. I've stocked up on the 09 bottling as it's my favorite ETL. The ERSB is good but not "special" IMO so I would pass on that one. I haven't had the most recent bottling of EC18 but I've heard that it's their best one yet. They also have FRBS OBSV, OBSO, and OBSQ but I haven't had those yet. They also selected a barrel of Evan Williams Single Barrel for 2010 that I've heard is pretty good too if you like that bourbon. For rye's the did a bottling of Baby Saz but I haven't had that one either. In summary, you can't go wrong with the Weller 12 or BT at $24.99. The ETL is 29.99 so it's a bit more expensive but still a good buy. The Four Roses Barrel Strength OESO and OESK's are must haves IMO and make up about 80% of the 2009 Mariage.

Re: Looking for any suggestions re. Binny's hand-picked casks

I realize you're asking about SMS's, but I'll go with Bob and comment on their bourbons. While I haven't had as many of the Binny's bottlings as he has, I totally agree with him on the Weller 12, '09 BT and the ETL. The Weller is the best of these three IMO, but the others aren't far behind. If you like a particular bourbon (and I'm willing to assume the same for SMS) and Binny's has a hand picked version of it, buy it!

Gary

Last edited by Vosgar; 04-16-2010 at 19:18.

"Bottom line: sometimes things work out this way in life. It doesn't matter how well you've planned; you're just f**ked, and that's that" - The Boss

Re: Looking for any suggestions re. Binny's hand-picked casks

Here I am. Royal Lochnaghar, and Benrinnes signatory casks are both great. If you like smoke/ peat, caol ila sig. finished in a ballechin cask, and Laphroaig 18 sig if you can find it. Do yourself a favor, and grab the latest bt selection. Awesome juice. 13 of our favorite barrels vatted together to create a bt frankenstein.

Re: Looking for any suggestions re. Binny's hand-picked casks

Joe, can you comment on the Royal Lochnaghar?

I was going to order the Caol Ila in the burgundy finish and the person at Lakeview (over the phone) was not very enthusiastic (he said he did not like finished scotches). So I only got the Benrinnes 1997 and the Mortlach 1988.

I need some good bottles from 1995 and 1998, so the Royal Lochnaghar could be a good fit (I am buying a bottle for every vintage/year since my marriage, good thing it is only 1994).

Re: Looking for any suggestions re. Binny's hand-picked casks

That's to bad. I really liked that Caol Ila, and most scotch is aged in a pre-used barrell anyway, so the finishing doesn't really bother me that much. It's a real firecracker. As to the Lochnagar, I find it very pleasing. Medium weight-ish. Not to far removed from the benrinnes you picked up. The ben has a little lemon while the Loch has some nice vanilla and some toffee sneaking in. Pretty straight forward whisky.